Abstract: A system and method for improved video streaming is disclosed herein. After receiving a log-in request from a user, an embodiment can access the user's account information to find available media files for the user. An embodiment can then determine if any of the available media files for the user are partially viewed. The partially viewed media files are displayed to the user, including a title of the media file and a viewed time of each media file. Thereafter, a user can select one of the list of partially viewed media files. Playback of the media file begins at the viewed time of the selected media file. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system and method for giving access to streaming media that is associated with purchased physical media item is disclosed herein. Upon the purchase of a physical media item, a unique identifier is received. The unique identifier is analyzed to determine if the unique identifier is associated with a streaming service account. If so, the streaming service account is modified to grant access to streaming media that is associated with the physical media. The user is notified of the availability of the streaming media. The user can then initiate playback of the streaming media. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system and method for scrolling through a media file is presented. Playback of a media file is initiated. An instruction is received an instruction to enter an expanded view mode. The expanded view mode can include an information view mode and a poster mode. In the information view mode, a variety of information about the media file is displayed, including a synopsis, cast information, and the like. In the poster mode, a variety of graphical images are displayed, each representing a different media file and configured to resemble a movie poster. The media files can be trailers or other type of previews. There can be a method for a user to add a preview to a wishlist or order the media file represented by the preview. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for menu-based navigation to view audio and/or visual media is disclosed. A user can navigate through a menu system by moving a cursor between various showcases listed in a second display area of a screen. When the user selects a category, the menu changes to display sub-categories within the category in a first area of the screen. The second display area can display information about available media items within a selected category or sub-category. A third display area can display additional information about the selected media item. There can also be a display area where a user can create a filter within a selected category or sub-category. The menu selections can contain images representative of categories. The categories can be genres of movies or music. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a system.

Abstract: A connection is established between a first device and a server. When the first device opens the connection, the server determines the remote IP address of the first device. Determining the remote IP address can be performed in a variety of different manners. The first device is then tasked to determine its local IP address. The same steps can be repeated with a second device. Thereafter, either of the first device or the second device are able to query the server to find out if there is another device on the network. If one of the devices is capable of accepting incoming connections, the devices can communicate directly using the local IP addresses. Otherwise, messages can be sent through the server. The communication between the first and second devices can allow enhanced media viewing capabilities. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system and method for scrolling through a media file is presented. Playback of a media file is initiated. An instruction is received an instruction to enter a navigation mode. A set of one or more thumbnails is displayed. Each of the set of one or more thumbnails represents a portion of the media file. An input is received from a user indicating a desire to view a portion of the media file represented by one of the set of one or more thumbnails on the display. Playback of the media file is resumed at the portion of the media file represented by one of the set of one or more thumbnails on the display. The input from the user indicating a desire to view a portion of the media file comprises using scroll gestures on the set of one or more thumbnails to display a desired portion of the media file. The input can be made using a touch-sensitive device. The touch-sensitive device can be a touchscreen display.

Abstract: There are many boxes (e.g., set-top boxes) in a system offering media services to users. Each of the boxes maintains a library with a significant number of titles. Techniques for updating the library in each of these boxes using a transmission infrastructure are described. According to one aspect of the techniques, a service provider is provided with a high bandwidth broadcasting or multicasting capability, a release fragmented into a header and several segments is transmitted to all boxes that are respectively configured to receive a proper release package to update the library. Alternatively, separate release packages may be transmitted via different channels to the boxes, wherein each of the boxes is tuned to a proper channel to receive a proper release package.

Abstract: There are many boxes (e.g., set-top boxes) in a system offering media services to users. Each of the boxes maintains a library with a significant number of titles. Techniques for updating the library in each of these boxes using a transmission infrastructure are described. According to one aspect of the techniques, a service provider is provided with a high bandwidth broadcasting or multicasting capability, a release fragmented into a header and several segments is transmitted to all boxes that are respectively configured to receive a proper release package to update the library. Alternatively, separate release packages may be transmitted via different channels to the boxes, wherein each of the boxes is tuned to a proper channel to receive a proper release package.

Abstract: Method and systems for classifying and segmenting a file or a collection of media data are disclosed. According one aspect, each title in a library of titles are divided into a header and a plurality of segments. Furthermore, a library of titles is categorized into a first band and a second band, based on popularity. Titles in the first band are more popular and segments of the titles are distributed to all subscriber units. Titles in the second band are less popular and only a percentage of the segments of titles in the second band are distributed to each subscriber unit. In some embodiments, each subscriber unit has segments of approximately five percent of titles in the second band. The header of each title is distributed to each subscriber unit. When a subscriber unit requests a title, an instruction is made to a set of subscriber units that have segments of the title to distribute the segments to the requesting subscriber unit. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a client device is protected against the execution of unauthorized software. The client includes a code authentication process that verifies the integrity of executable code, by generating and comparing a first hash value of the executable code with a known hash value of the original code. Furthermore, during boot-up, the client initializes a CPU exception vector table with one or more vector table entries. One or more, or all, of the vector table entries direct the CPU to execute the code authentication process prior to executing an event handler when an exception event occurs. Consequently, the code authentication process is virtually guaranteed to execute, thereby protecting against the execution of unauthorized code.